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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Pictures of the new leg

Here are some pictures of the new leg. This first one ought to be side by side with his old leg to show you how cool it is without the loads of velcro straps. This one has a fitted plastic thigh piece and then his prosthetic sock is folded over it. He also got a piece of elastic over his heel--that seems to work well too.

The leg is made of carbon fiber. Eric, the man who made his prosthetic, took us around his shop and showed us how it was done. It is so cool--maybe I ought to do a whole post on it. Steven had requested a thermometer in his leg and so Eric made a mold of this little keychain. He had of course, made a mold of Steven's leg as well. He put the carbon fiber over the foot mold and then he took the thermometer mold and adhered it to the leg in the place where he wanted it. Then he puts resin over the carbon fiber. He cut out the thermometer mold (had he used the actual thing, it would have melted). Then he glued the actual thermometer in place. Now, that is how I understood it, though I may be wrong--I am no expert here.

So yes, Steven also has a compass--and he just keeps brainstorming the gadget possibilities on future legs.

This leg seems to be a whole lot more straight than his old one. Straight as in, his backwards foot isn't out to the one side like his other leg. It has changed the way he walks, but I am hoping that with practice he will just keep getting stronger in the places where he is weak.

Very cool! So glad you are working with Eric! He sure knows what he is doing and so willing to do what the child wants. I am sure that Steven will be walking much better with the new leg. Tim is running on his leg cuz Eric knows what he is doing!! Best of luck! Keep us posted:)